1850 shipwreck memorialized at Lakefront Park in Willowick

Jeff Forman/JForman@News-Herald.com

Author Jim Hopkins describes the shipwreck of the G.P. Griffith in Lake Erie off the coast of what is now Willowick during a memorial ceremony Friday at Lake Metroparks Lakefront Lodge in Willowick. Hopkins is the author of "1850: Death on Erie The Saga of the G.P. Griffith." The ship went down after catching on fire, resulting in the deaths of 287 people.

Lake County residents gathered at the Lakefront Park in Willowick on Friday to remember the lives that were lost after a fire and shipwreck in 1850.

The history of the event is not well known throughout the community, but residents at the ceremony seemed eager to learn.

"I was surprised I did not know about something here so close, and sinking right off the coast of our fair Lake Erie," Willowick resident Judy Galippo said.

"This is very interesting. I like history and historical things," she added.

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Jim Hopkins, author of a newly released book recapping the catastrophe of the G.P. Griffith, spoke about the night of the wreck, and created a scene for audience members to envision.

"Suddenly, barely 600 feet away (from the shore), the ship comes to an abrupt grinding halt. Hundreds of people begin to jump overboard," he recounted.

On June 17, 1850, the G.P. Griffith carried 326 immigrants with hopes of reaching the United States. The voyage turned disastrous when a fire broke out on the ship, and it was unable to reach the shore.

The majority of those on board lost their lives after jumping overboard to escape the flames, a total of 287.

Of the deceased, 97 were never identified, their bodies buried on shore -- since consumed by the lake.

"It's a really tragic tale. Those families may never know what happened to their relatives," Lorrie Drewniak of Willowick said.

"These were immigrants. These were people that were trying to improve their lives," she added.

Drewniak said she loves local history and was already aware of the G.P. Griffith before the memorial.

"I can't wait to get my teeth sunk into it," she said of the book.

While he was in office, former state Rep. Jamie Callender worked hard to get the historical plaque that overlooks the lake from the park, he said.

"This was a major historic tragedy. But over the course of the Civil War coming right afterward, and then going through the world wars and the depression, it just sort of faded from memory," he said. "I just thought it was important that the memory of those folks who passed away in the tragedy, that we have some kind of reminder for future generations."

Hopkins' book, "1850: Death On Erie The Saga of the G.P. Griffith" is available online and in stores.